While Eric Adams faces challenges, Andrew Cuomo moves forward
The ex-governor has organized the framework of a campaign and is actively engaging with influential figures in New York.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — As Eric Adams’ mayoralty falters, Andrew Cuomo is actively working to gain the backing of some of the incumbent's key allies.
The former governor, marred by scandal, along with his close aides, has been reaching out to essential New York City labor and business figures, targeting Black and Orthodox Jewish voters, and cultivating relationships with the influential New York Post. This comprehensive strategy aims to leverage Adams’ foundational political support amid the mayor’s dwindling popularity.
Cuomo is anticipated to officially enter the race within the next two weeks, coinciding with the collection of petitions for the June 24 Democratic primary and unions beginning their endorsement processes. Adams, facing ongoing legal issues, has yet to launch a reelection campaign, while other lesser-known Democratic candidates go about fundraising and seeking endorsements.
Cuomo’s allies are already organizing a reception for him — a March 4 event hosted by investment banker and consultant Charles Myers, as revealed in a save-the-date invitation obtained by PMG. This past Valentine’s Day, Cuomo shared a campaign-style video of himself engaging with an audience predominantly composed of Black women, a vital voting demographic that previously supported him.
For months, the astute politician has been making connections with influential labor leaders who were instrumental in Adams' 2021 election.
This effort represents an aggressive attempt to reshape his political narrative following his resignation in 2021 amid accusations of sexual harassment from 11 women, claims detailed in a state attorney general’s report, which Cuomo has denied. Although investigations have not led to criminal charges against him, a mayoral position — despite being far less powerful than his previous gubernatorial role — would offer him a chance to reclaim public visibility and achieve some measure of vindication following his public disgrace. Additionally, it would position him to confront President Donald Trump, who remains a controversial figure in New York City.
“This is a race that’s going to be fast,” said former Gov. David Paterson, who frequently communicates with Cuomo and his supporters. “The primary is in June, the petitioning period in April. It works to the more prepared candidates. I don’t see any of the other candidates being particularly prepared.”
Cuomo has been in discussions with the president of the Hotel Trades and Gaming Council during a meeting in New Jersey and separately engaged with leaders from 32BJ SEIU — the building service workers' union — last December, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of these discussions. Both unions supported Adams in 2021 and have remained loyal, but they are currently evaluating the expanding candidate pool as support for the mayor diminishes.
He has also been in touch with the carpenter’s union and contacted Michael Mulgrew, who heads the United Federation of Teachers. Furthermore, members of his team are reaching out to District Council 37, the city’s largest public union, which is planning a mayoral forum next week, according to individuals familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
As Cuomo is not yet a declared candidate, he has not received an invitation to DC 37's mayoral forum, a spokesperson confirmed.
Cuomo's team may include fundraiser Jennifer Bayer Michaels, who recently joined a public affairs firm employing longtime ally Charlie King, positioned for a leading role in the campaign. Consultant Chris Coffey, CEO of Tusk Strategies, has been reaching out to Orthodox Jewish and business leaders on behalf of Cuomo, as disclosed by someone with direct knowledge of those efforts.
However, major unions remain in a holding pattern due to the prevailing uncertainty over the mayoral campaign.
Support from labor — nearly essential in one of the nation's most unionized cities — is a critical factor in any viable mayoral campaign. Their endorsement of the ex-governor is far from assured. While many labor leaders still lean toward Adams, private and public polling indicates Cuomo leading a crowded field, with Adams’ support dwindling to single digits.
Labor’s endorsement can significantly affect a candidate’s campaign through funding, enhanced communication among members voting in city elections, and increased voter turnout. Nevertheless, many union leaders are adopting a wait-and-see approach, reflecting the uncertain dynamics of the race. Surveys conducted recently show a stagnant field, with Cuomo yet to officially announce his candidacy. However, with strong name recognition, he possesses necessary infrastructure should he choose to enter the fray.
“New York’s a labor town and labor endorsements can move the needle in many cases,” noted Josh Gold, a former political director for the influential hotel workers union. “They can put boots on the ground in a crowded race, and when you’re thinking about Mayor Adams and the support he’s shown for working families, it’s a vote of confidence.”
Recently, Cuomo has received some modest early endorsements from moderate organizations, including backing from former rival-turned-ally Carl McCall, the Staten Island Democratic Committee, and the Asian Wave Alliance, despite not yet formally entering the race.
While some of the city’s political elite express apprehension about Cuomo's return, they acknowledge the attractive positioning he holds: a brief primary season, a robust lead in published polls, and an extensive network of supporters.
Cuomo, a relentless and precise politician even by New York standards, could capitalize on voters' perceptions of an increasingly chaotic city. His campaign anticipates support from Black and Jewish voters — two groups he has deliberately engaged, even while out of office.
The current circumstances — featuring an incumbent mayor embroiled in crisis and voters shifting away from far-left candidates — favor Cuomo, who is accumulating endorsements and quietly structuring his campaign team.
Once a national political figure due to his handling of COVID-19, Cuomo saw his reputation tarnished amid various controversies, but he has considered a political comeback over the past two years.
This unpredictable race presents challenges unlike any Cuomo has encountered throughout his lengthy public career, which began when his father, Mario Cuomo, campaigned for mayor in 1977. Presently, he is still competing with Adams — the city’s second Black mayor — who may continue to attract enough support from Black voters to impede Cuomo’s chances in parts of the city with high voter turnout.
Moreover, Adrienne Adams, a Democrat and current head of the New York City Council, is contemplating a last-minute entrance into the race, potentially complicating Cuomo's comeback by siphoning support from Black voters. If elected, she would make history as the first Black woman in the mayor’s office; state Attorney General Letitia James has recently engaged with key New York Democrats to bolster Adrienne Adams’ potential bid.
Polls have indicated Cuomo maintains a high favorable rating among voters, but he also faces significant negative perceptions, creating an opening for opponents. A super PAC has already launched a six-figure advertising campaign attacking his past record.
Cuomo has strategically limited his public appearances as Adams' position declines. Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul, less than enthusiastic about the former governor, has refrained from attempting to remove Adams and instead suggested a set of oversight measures aimed at limiting potential influence from the Trump administration on city policy.
Cuomo's potential Democratic challengers have been quick to urge him into the spotlight. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, among those contesting the primary, criticized the former governor for remaining quiet while Trump implements policies impacting critical issues for New Yorkers.
"Cuomo has been silent while Trump has proposed cuts to our students, our teachers, our schools, and our hospitals,” Myrie stated. “Cuomo has remained silent while Trump has used the Department of Justice to control the mayor of the greatest city in the world.”
Despite this criticism, Cuomo's polling has remained unaffected as he and his supporters diligently work to garner backing.
Initially hesitant to challenge the mayor in a Democratic primary, Cuomo’s team has determined that the beleaguered Adams represents a significantly weakened incumbent who could be defeated in a crowded race. Nonetheless, entering the race poses risks for the cautious former governor, as both candidates share a similar base of working-class, moderate voters of color.
They also have connections in outer borough communities that could serve as persuaders in a closely contested primary. Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr. — a Trump-supporting Democrat and Pentecostal minister who worked alongside Adams in the state Senate — has longstanding ties with both Cuomo and the mayor.
“We have been with him,” Diaz remarked about Adams. “He was my partner in the state Senate, he’s a friend. I teach my children you don’t abandon friends when they are down. You stick with them.”
However, Diaz acknowledged that it would be “hard” to choose between Adams and Cuomo.
“That’s what people are waiting for,” he expressed. “I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no; very difficult to decide.”
Cuomo’s spokesperson has claimed that discussions about the ex-governor’s political aspirations are premature. However, he is already reaping the benefits of early endorsements.
McCall, a former state comptroller who previously ran against Cuomo in a 2002 Democratic primary, has been encouraging his former rival to enter the race. Both share a history of mutual support dating back to Cuomo’s unsuccessful bid two decades ago. McCall insisted in a brief interview with PMG that neither Cuomo nor his associates sought the endorsement.
“I did talk to them when I decided to do it and I wanted to have all the information that was necessary,” he stated.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
The former governor, marred by scandal, along with his close aides, has been reaching out to essential New York City labor and business figures, targeting Black and Orthodox Jewish voters, and cultivating relationships with the influential New York Post. This comprehensive strategy aims to leverage Adams’ foundational political support amid the mayor’s dwindling popularity.
Cuomo is anticipated to officially enter the race within the next two weeks, coinciding with the collection of petitions for the June 24 Democratic primary and unions beginning their endorsement processes. Adams, facing ongoing legal issues, has yet to launch a reelection campaign, while other lesser-known Democratic candidates go about fundraising and seeking endorsements.
Cuomo’s allies are already organizing a reception for him — a March 4 event hosted by investment banker and consultant Charles Myers, as revealed in a save-the-date invitation obtained by PMG. This past Valentine’s Day, Cuomo shared a campaign-style video of himself engaging with an audience predominantly composed of Black women, a vital voting demographic that previously supported him.
For months, the astute politician has been making connections with influential labor leaders who were instrumental in Adams' 2021 election.
This effort represents an aggressive attempt to reshape his political narrative following his resignation in 2021 amid accusations of sexual harassment from 11 women, claims detailed in a state attorney general’s report, which Cuomo has denied. Although investigations have not led to criminal charges against him, a mayoral position — despite being far less powerful than his previous gubernatorial role — would offer him a chance to reclaim public visibility and achieve some measure of vindication following his public disgrace. Additionally, it would position him to confront President Donald Trump, who remains a controversial figure in New York City.
“This is a race that’s going to be fast,” said former Gov. David Paterson, who frequently communicates with Cuomo and his supporters. “The primary is in June, the petitioning period in April. It works to the more prepared candidates. I don’t see any of the other candidates being particularly prepared.”
Cuomo has been in discussions with the president of the Hotel Trades and Gaming Council during a meeting in New Jersey and separately engaged with leaders from 32BJ SEIU — the building service workers' union — last December, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of these discussions. Both unions supported Adams in 2021 and have remained loyal, but they are currently evaluating the expanding candidate pool as support for the mayor diminishes.
He has also been in touch with the carpenter’s union and contacted Michael Mulgrew, who heads the United Federation of Teachers. Furthermore, members of his team are reaching out to District Council 37, the city’s largest public union, which is planning a mayoral forum next week, according to individuals familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
As Cuomo is not yet a declared candidate, he has not received an invitation to DC 37's mayoral forum, a spokesperson confirmed.
Cuomo's team may include fundraiser Jennifer Bayer Michaels, who recently joined a public affairs firm employing longtime ally Charlie King, positioned for a leading role in the campaign. Consultant Chris Coffey, CEO of Tusk Strategies, has been reaching out to Orthodox Jewish and business leaders on behalf of Cuomo, as disclosed by someone with direct knowledge of those efforts.
However, major unions remain in a holding pattern due to the prevailing uncertainty over the mayoral campaign.
Support from labor — nearly essential in one of the nation's most unionized cities — is a critical factor in any viable mayoral campaign. Their endorsement of the ex-governor is far from assured. While many labor leaders still lean toward Adams, private and public polling indicates Cuomo leading a crowded field, with Adams’ support dwindling to single digits.
Labor’s endorsement can significantly affect a candidate’s campaign through funding, enhanced communication among members voting in city elections, and increased voter turnout. Nevertheless, many union leaders are adopting a wait-and-see approach, reflecting the uncertain dynamics of the race. Surveys conducted recently show a stagnant field, with Cuomo yet to officially announce his candidacy. However, with strong name recognition, he possesses necessary infrastructure should he choose to enter the fray.
“New York’s a labor town and labor endorsements can move the needle in many cases,” noted Josh Gold, a former political director for the influential hotel workers union. “They can put boots on the ground in a crowded race, and when you’re thinking about Mayor Adams and the support he’s shown for working families, it’s a vote of confidence.”
Recently, Cuomo has received some modest early endorsements from moderate organizations, including backing from former rival-turned-ally Carl McCall, the Staten Island Democratic Committee, and the Asian Wave Alliance, despite not yet formally entering the race.
While some of the city’s political elite express apprehension about Cuomo's return, they acknowledge the attractive positioning he holds: a brief primary season, a robust lead in published polls, and an extensive network of supporters.
Cuomo, a relentless and precise politician even by New York standards, could capitalize on voters' perceptions of an increasingly chaotic city. His campaign anticipates support from Black and Jewish voters — two groups he has deliberately engaged, even while out of office.
The current circumstances — featuring an incumbent mayor embroiled in crisis and voters shifting away from far-left candidates — favor Cuomo, who is accumulating endorsements and quietly structuring his campaign team.
Once a national political figure due to his handling of COVID-19, Cuomo saw his reputation tarnished amid various controversies, but he has considered a political comeback over the past two years.
This unpredictable race presents challenges unlike any Cuomo has encountered throughout his lengthy public career, which began when his father, Mario Cuomo, campaigned for mayor in 1977. Presently, he is still competing with Adams — the city’s second Black mayor — who may continue to attract enough support from Black voters to impede Cuomo’s chances in parts of the city with high voter turnout.
Moreover, Adrienne Adams, a Democrat and current head of the New York City Council, is contemplating a last-minute entrance into the race, potentially complicating Cuomo's comeback by siphoning support from Black voters. If elected, she would make history as the first Black woman in the mayor’s office; state Attorney General Letitia James has recently engaged with key New York Democrats to bolster Adrienne Adams’ potential bid.
Polls have indicated Cuomo maintains a high favorable rating among voters, but he also faces significant negative perceptions, creating an opening for opponents. A super PAC has already launched a six-figure advertising campaign attacking his past record.
Cuomo has strategically limited his public appearances as Adams' position declines. Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul, less than enthusiastic about the former governor, has refrained from attempting to remove Adams and instead suggested a set of oversight measures aimed at limiting potential influence from the Trump administration on city policy.
Cuomo's potential Democratic challengers have been quick to urge him into the spotlight. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, among those contesting the primary, criticized the former governor for remaining quiet while Trump implements policies impacting critical issues for New Yorkers.
"Cuomo has been silent while Trump has proposed cuts to our students, our teachers, our schools, and our hospitals,” Myrie stated. “Cuomo has remained silent while Trump has used the Department of Justice to control the mayor of the greatest city in the world.”
Despite this criticism, Cuomo's polling has remained unaffected as he and his supporters diligently work to garner backing.
Initially hesitant to challenge the mayor in a Democratic primary, Cuomo’s team has determined that the beleaguered Adams represents a significantly weakened incumbent who could be defeated in a crowded race. Nonetheless, entering the race poses risks for the cautious former governor, as both candidates share a similar base of working-class, moderate voters of color.
They also have connections in outer borough communities that could serve as persuaders in a closely contested primary. Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr. — a Trump-supporting Democrat and Pentecostal minister who worked alongside Adams in the state Senate — has longstanding ties with both Cuomo and the mayor.
“We have been with him,” Diaz remarked about Adams. “He was my partner in the state Senate, he’s a friend. I teach my children you don’t abandon friends when they are down. You stick with them.”
However, Diaz acknowledged that it would be “hard” to choose between Adams and Cuomo.
“That’s what people are waiting for,” he expressed. “I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no; very difficult to decide.”
Cuomo’s spokesperson has claimed that discussions about the ex-governor’s political aspirations are premature. However, he is already reaping the benefits of early endorsements.
McCall, a former state comptroller who previously ran against Cuomo in a 2002 Democratic primary, has been encouraging his former rival to enter the race. Both share a history of mutual support dating back to Cuomo’s unsuccessful bid two decades ago. McCall insisted in a brief interview with PMG that neither Cuomo nor his associates sought the endorsement.
“I did talk to them when I decided to do it and I wanted to have all the information that was necessary,” he stated.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
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